Thursday, 3 May 2012

Drought and Domino

Despite the dire warnings from various government agencies, there is (of course) no sign of the so-called drought which is supposed to be gripping the south of England. Our streams are full and though we had a beautiful day yesterday we are forecast lots more rain for the rest of the week(!).

The horses aren't bothered - they can get under cover and I'm still rugging them in bad weather - but they did love having sunshine to bask in for a day...

Eva, proving that she can cope quite happily with mixed company...

Legend, sunbathing and hanging out with Bailey.

Domino is absent from the scenic photos because he was at one of the other haylage feeders, probably relishing having it all to himself! He's due a photo update though, so here are his comparison shots.

Big change in loading and a much less under-run heel.

Again, a big change in emphasis, from wide toe and narrow heel to a much more balanced foot.

8 comments:

I know I leave so many comments, sorry, but I do find what you do fascinating! How does a horse self trim an under run heel back? My OTTB RH's hind is quite under run and I struggle with 'bringing it back' and it hasn't on it's own (2+ yrs). The way he strides on it, continues to encourage the heel tubules to grow forward and out vs down, causing heel to reach toward his toe. Frustrating, and if there is something major I'm missing-please share! :)

Hi Kristen, I'm glad you find it interesting 'cos I do too :-) If your horse is sound and happy I wouldn't worry too much. It is a sad fact of life that many OTTBs are shod very young and can find it much harder than horses who are shod later to develop a strong palmar hoof.

I doubt you are missing anything, but to start with I'd be looking at how he lands behind and see if that is ok or needs improvement. Once you improve the landing and structure of the hoof the growth tends to improve as well.

Ya, that is my issue, I guess. He is not sound. His RH has internal damage from a toxic/gut related (not IR) laminitis, over 2 yrs ago. He lands on it decent at walk, but with a 'floating out' so the under run heel takes the load, and his walls from laminae damage, are weak. Frog is taking most of load as well, which is ok but a LOT of false sole that he's maintained for years that causes internal bruising and damage. I can't seem to correct it despite trying different trimming, non trimming, etc. Grrr..thanks for your input.

Andrea, I know - its a complete effing farce - one of the mildest, wettest countries in the world! And of course its so bloody wet here that now its rained all of April the whole south is covered in flood warnings - totally barmy!

Kristen, it may be that the foot is mirroring the limb - in other words the foot can't improve unless or until he can use the limb better. If you've tried everything from a hoof point of view, have you tried getting a good bodyworker in to work with the limb issues first? You probably have, but I thought I'd throw it in just in case.

Amanda, I do find that cob feet tend to grow stilts, whereas TB feet tend to shoot forwards and collapse but how fast they correct seems to depend more on the horse and what else is going on.

Yes, great suggestion but YES, Chiro's, Masterson massage, you name it, we've done it. Turnout 24/7, etc. I'm just starting to feel that after all these years of trying, so frustrated, that I'm missing 'something.' Well, if you come across a similar hoof as ours, OR want to feature his hoof on your blog and your thoughts on it, I'd be ALL EARS and willing. xo

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A diary of whats happening at Rockley, whether its news on rehab horses or on our own horses hunting and competing. All the horses are barefoot, and the blog includes updates on hoof rehabilitation and information about barefoot performance.

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